Tom Boyd will leave Greater Western Sydney and return to Victoria even if the club opts not to trade the star forward before this week’s trade period deadline.
Boyd, 2013’s No.1 draft pick, will leave GWS and continue his AFL career with a Victorian club no later than this time next year, according to agent Liam Pickering.
The Giants have rejected Boyd’s request to be traded to the Western Bulldogs despite being offered star midfielder Ryan Griffen in a potential blockbuster deal.
Pickering declared Boyd’s days at the club numbered, saying the 19-year-old will see out the final year of his contract if no deal is met by Thursday’s deadline.
“He wants to come home, in a nutshell. He doesn’t want to live in Western Sydney anymore,” Pickering told AFL Trade Radio. “He wants to come home — and he’s going to come home. Whether it’s this year or next year — that’s what’ll happen.”
“That’s what people forget. This is no disrespect to the Giants, but the reality is he didn’t choose to go there. He was drafted there. The system is that you don’t get to pick your club when you get drafted.”
The Giants remain unwilling to part with the top draft pick even in the face of potentially losing Boyd for nothing at the end of next season.
“Given we have said Tom will not be traded under any circumstances we are pleased that any ambiguity has been removed and we look forward to welcoming Tom back to training next month and preparing for the 2015 season,” GWS chief executive David Matthews said.
GWS has shown little interest in acquiring Bulldogs star Griffen to oversee the club’s eventual transition into finals contender after a down year for 28-year-old and last week’s public and messy breakup with team leadership.
Boyd experienced an expected rough transition to AFL football as an 18-year-old, kicking eight goals and averaging just six possessions in nine appearances last season.
Photo: Matt King/Getty Images
